Teresa Cotsirilos

Reporter

Teresa Cotsirilos reports on crime, criminal justice and public health in the Yukon Kuskokwim Delta.

A graduate of UC Berkeley’s Graduate School of Journalism, Cotsirilos most recently reported for Oakland North, where she covered Black Lives Matter and the Oakland Police Department. Her work has also appeared in the New York Times, the Nation and other publications.

Prior to becoming a journalist, Cotsirilos sold eyepatches and other pirate supplies in San Francisco, wrote for a travel guide in Jerusalem and taught sexual education in rural Namibia. Please send her news tips at teresa@kyuk.org.

Update February 22 6:55 .p.m: ​On Thursday at 6:28 p.m., House Democrats confirmed Zulkosky's appointment. She is now House District 38's new state representative.

Governor Walker has appointed Tiffany Zulkosky to serve as House District 38’s new state representative. If confirmed by House Democrats, she would replace Representative Zach Fansler, who resigned earlier this month following assault allegations.

Three people have been forwarded by the region’s Democrats as possible candidates for Zach Fansler’s replacement as State Representative for House District 38. On Wednesday, KYUK presented the first of three profiles with the nominees.

On Sunday night, the Democrats of House District 38 selected three potential nominees to replace Representative Zach Fansler, who resigned earlier this month following assault allegations. Two of their three choices are Alaska Native women, and all three candidates have deep ties to the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta.

Today is the filing deadline for potential candidates who hope to replace Zach Fansler as House District 38's State Representative. Fansler resigned after being accused of domestic violence related to alcohol.

KYUK has been interviewing Bethel residents who know Fansler and asking whether they ever suspected that there might be trouble ahead for him. Whoever takes his place may face closer scrutiny than usual.

A former employee is suing the Association of Village Council Presidents (AVCP) for discrimination. Alexandra Werba claims that the tribal non-profit organization pushed her out of her job shortly after she became a mother and decided to work from home.

The Bethel Police Department is investigating the alleged kidnapping and sexual assault of a minor. The crime was reported by a 14-year-old girl, though Acting Police Chief Burke Waldron would not confirm whether she was also the alleged victim.